A pattern language for working with LLM-based coding assistants.
Introduction
About the pattern language
Get Early Access by Supporting Chiron Codex
Chiron Codex makes the pattern language for AI-augmented software development available for free,...
Accessing the Agent Skills and Sample Code Repositories
There are two companion repositories for this book. The Chiron Codex Agent Skills repository cont...
Prompt Management
Patterns you use to improve the quality of the prompts you send to the language model.
Extract Prompt
Intent When you need to correct the way an agent performs an intermediate task in a process, tur...
Record Prompt
Intent Get the model to write down what you should have told it, for it to do the job correctly ...
Bake Off
Bake Off Intent Give the same prompt to multiple assistants—or to multiple instances of the sam...
Context Management
Ensure the language model pays attention to information that's relevant to your task.
Memory Management
Retain information for the coding assistant to use across multiple tasks.
Generate Documentation
Intent Prompt the model to describe the code it creates. Generate reading guides that help you u...
Write Down TODOs
Write Down TODOs Intent Don't try to solve everything at once. Record an open issue and return ...
Remember What We Did
Remember What We Did Intent Get the assistant to record the choices and corrections you make du...
Task Management
Change the work you do, and the way you work, with your coding assistant.
You Reflect
You Reflect Intent Review the transcript of your interaction with an agent, recall the tense mo...
Defer the Details
Intent Don't try to fix everything in one sitting. Tell the model to record open questions so yo...
Model Reflects
Model Reflects Intent Ask the model to identify important changes or inflection points in your ...
Discover Opportunities
Generate different solutions to solve your problem, and different problems to solve.
Ask for Alternatives
Intent Get the model to suggest multiple solutions to your problem. Compare benefits and drawbac...
Disclose Ambiguity
Intent Prompt the model to list the assumptions inherent in your prompt, or missing information ...
Just Ask
Just Ask Intent Don't dive into implementation. Describe your problem, and ask your assistant f...
Quality Improvement
Ensuring a high standard in the output the model generates.
Call Out Error
Call Out Error Intent Tell the agent when it does something wrong, before you commit to the mis...
Re-Read Instructions
Re-Read Instructions Intent Tell the model to pay attention to its original prompt, and check i...
Replace Vibes with Tools
Replace Vibes with Tools Intent When a part of your problem is well-specified and deterministic...
Build a Model
Build a Model Intent Prompt the language model to build a prototype of your solution. Explore t...
Stop and Plan
Stop and Plan Intent Before you vibe code, vibe plan. Explore your problem, explore your soluti...
Coding Details
Patterns that change how your assistant works with code.